The IPL 2025 mega auction is just a week away, as the caravan shifts to Jeddah on November 24 and 25. A total of 574 players have been shortlisted by the BCCI and IPL after a total of 1574 registered for the auction.
Meanwhile, 46 players were retained by the franchises ahead of the retention deadline on October 31, 2024. All franchises have a combined 204 slots to fill at the auction tables.
READ MORE: IPL 2025 mega auction: Countries with most players registered | All the latest cricket news
MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma are some of the biggest names to be retained by their respective franchises ahead of the mega auction. On the other hand, here are the five biggest names to be released, and thus shortlisted for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction.
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Five biggest names in IPL 2025 mega auction
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is arguably the biggest name to be released into the auction ahead of IPL 2025. The Delhi-born cricketer represented his home franchise for all years since his debut in 2016 as a 19-year-old.
Racked up over 3200 runs in 111 IPL appearances, Pant is touted by many to be the most expensive buy, come the auction day. The captaincy trait also makes Pant one of the most sought-after players in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Mitchell Starc
Australian speedster Mitchell Starc is another big shout at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Starc's release into the auction pool comes only a season after Kolkata Knight Riders paid a record-breaking salary to acquire his services (24.75 Crore) in 2024.
While the 34-year-old went cold for most parts of the season and even had a glaring start to the edition last year. Despite a torrid start, Starc's heroics towards the business end of the season make him the invaluable bowler he is.
MORE: How many times has MS Dhoni featured in IPL auction?
Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler was one of the shockers of names after the retention lists were announced at the end of last month. His contribution towards the on-field success of Rajasthan Royals could be argued as unmatched.
The Englishman boasts a wealth of experience in the Indian Premier League too. He has 19 fifties and seven centuries in only 107 appearances in the league. Having amassed over 3500 runs to his name, Buttler would undoubtedly be one of the hottest properties in the market, as he searches for a new home ahead of IPL 2025.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has increased his value to get to the list of one of the biggest names heading into the IPL 2025 mega auction. The Mumbai-born cricketer led the Kolkata-based franchise to their third IPL title last season.
Iyer is an experienced middle-order batter, scoring 3127 runs in just 115 appearances. Like Pant, Iyer offers an invaluable trait of captainship, something he did too well last season.
Coming on the back of an IPL triumph, Iyer heads into the IPL 2025 mega auction as one of the names to watch out for!
MORE: How many times has Rohit Sharma featured in IPL auction?
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal is one of, if not the biggest names supposed to be drawn out of the bag in IPL 2025 mega auction. heads into the season as the highest wicket-taker in IPL history (205 wickets).
Chahal, having swapped a host of franchises throughout his career, hunts for a new house for and beyond 2025. Being the only bowler with 200+ IPL wickets, Chahal's new franchise would have a magician on their hands.
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